Apparatus for handling hot metal rods



Aug. 6, 1963 5. SMITH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HOT METAL RODS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1960 |NVENTOR S ERIDAN SMITH BY j L ATTORNEYS Aug. 6, 1963 5. SMITH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HOT METAL RODS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. '7, 1960 INVENTOR S ERIDAN SMITH ATToR EYS.

Aug. 6, 1963 s. SMITH 3,100,070

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HOT METAL RODS Filed Nov. 7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I||| II n u m 1. 1-,, |"I I" Ill. 35 2e 26 27 I. T; W l l I I E IHII I l 7/ I ||I|| 24 37 4/ 40 3a 33 |NVENTOR SHERIDAN SMITH BY W- ATToR Ys.

nits Stes 3,100,070 APPARATUS FDR HANDLING HOT METAL RODS Sheridan mith, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada,

assignor, by mesne assignments, to Morgan Construction Company, Worcester, Mass.

Filed Nov. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 67,714 8 Claims. (Cl. 226171) This invention relates to the handling of hot metal rods, and more particularly to a means for effecting a substantial change in the direction of travel of hot metal rods for delivery thereof to a coiling reel at a temperature lower than has hitherto been possible in laying reels.

Until now, all attempts at coiling hot metal rods at temperatures now made possible by the present invention resulted in deformation of the rods with subsequent failure to pass from the finishing stand to the reels throughout the working process. With known methods, hot metal rods can be cooled from a temperature of about 1950 F. to a temperature not less than an average of about 1400 F. This was the absolute minimum temperature to which such hot metal rods could be cooled in order that known devices could deliver them to the coiling reel.

For many years a fixed guide, for example a curved pipe bent through about 90, was used to change the direction of travel of a hot metal rod from horizontal to vertical in delivering it into a coiling reel to be coiled into annular bundles. Later, on improvement was devised in which a sheave cooperated with a fixed guide to change the direction of the hot rod. This sheave was grooved to provide an opening between its periphery and the guide with which it was associated and into which a hot rod would be directed. Both of these devices were somewhat unsatisfactory since it was not possible for them to handle hot rods at temperatures below about 1500 F. on the average. Nor was it possible to coil large diameter rod at all with such devices in a laying reel. The disadvantages of coiling hot rod at such a temperature are numerous and some of these are recognized in related United States Patents Nos. 2,621,914 and 2,673,820. In addition, buckling of the hot rod in these guides or pipes due to friction was not a rare occurrence and often resulted in a stoppage of the whole line. This was especially troublesome at lower temperatures.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the above described known devices by providing a moving guide to effect the necessary change in direction of a hot metal rod prior to delivery thereof to the coiling reel. Not only is the inventive apparatus capable of handling hot rods at temperatures lower than has hitherto been possible, but it is also capable of handling larger diameter rod than was possible before. 'In addition, this moving guide does not mark the surface of the rod and deform it from the smooth, round surface given it by the last finishing stand. This is accomplished by the moving guide effecting a positive grip on the surface of the rod over an appreciable length thereof which forces the rod through a 90 change of direction and into the coiling reel. Even at temperatures substantially below '15 F there is no buckling of the rod near the finishing stand, where the rod is at a temperature of about 1950 F. and accordingly very flexible, since the moving guide is positively driven at a speed such that the hot rod is actually slightly pulled through the change of direction and thence directed into the laying reel.

The present invention permits the hot rod to be cooled rapidly to a lower temperature, for example to about 1250 F. for a minimum diameter rod, before it is given a change in direction and accordingly achieves the following advantages :over known devices:

Patented Aug. 6, 1963 (1) This rapid cooling to a lower temperatureresults in less scale formation on the rod. Since scale must be removed by an acid pickling treatment before the rod can be drawn into wire the direct results of the lesser amount of scale are shorter pickling time, less acid consumption and less contamination of dies and acid tanks. Accordingly, there is less loss of weight of the rod. This is especially important with respect to the larger diameter rod which are to be handled and is the advantage with respect thereto.

(2) Controlled cooling rates made possible by use of this apparatus achieve metallurgical results which in certain circumstances may eliminate subsequent processing such as patenting or annealing. For example, a minimum diameter rod can be quickly cooled to a temperature of about 1100 F. to 1200 F. thereby avoiding the normation of coarse pearlite. A desired grain structure is achieved which in many cases will permit drawing of wire direct from the laying reel without intermediate patenting. This avoidance of further heat treatment in certain cases is of great economical importance and is reflected in the cost of the finished product.

(3) Even though in certain cases it may not be possible to completely avoid all subsequent heat treatment prior to drawing into wire, the better grain structure achieved with the present invention does result in more drawing for each heat treatment step. Accordingly, the present invention enables rods to be drawn into wire with a minimum number of heat treatments.

(4) This quick cooling also reduces the ambient heat in the building which is most important with respect to the numerous motors in use as well as providing better working conditions for the working men. Further, it results in less capital investment in fans which are used to conduct the heat away.

(5) Cooler coils enable the length of the cooling conveyor to be shortened thereby making space available for other uses. With the coils at a lower temperature, there is less distortion or scratching by the conveyor dogs.

(6) Cooler coils may possibly result in the elimination of the hook conveyor, or at least if such conveyors must be used, it will prevent the coils from deforming and dragging on the floor surface.

Use of this inventive apparatus will also avoid buckling adjacent the finishing stand and in the apparatus itself because of the fact that the rod is positively gripped and fed int-o the laying reel at a speed at least equal to the speed of the nod as it leaves the finishing stand. This is especially true with respect to the larger diameter rod which are to be handled.

Further, when the tail end of the rod leaves the finish ing belt, it is still driven forward by the inventive apparatus and accordingly the load is not transferred to the spinner of the coiling reel as it is with all known arrangements. This eliminates a very real tendency for the rod to bind i011 the coiling drum or spokes in the reel, which results in the last rings being smaller in diameter than the coil generally.

The invention, therefore, consists of an apparatus for effecting a substantial change in the direction of travel of a hot metal rod for delivery thereof to a coiling reel and comprises a pair of rotatable pulleys, an endless flexible member passing around the said pulleys, a third rotatable pulley intermediate the said first two pulleys with its periphery contacting the exterior side of said flexible member, the three said pulleys lying insubstantia-lly the same plane, means adapted to direct the rod between the periphery of the third pulley and the exterior side of the flexible member, adjustable means adapted to control the tension of such flexible member and means for rotating at least said third pulley.

In the drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of this embodiment in operative position between the laststand of the rolling mill and the coiling reel,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of this embodiment,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation thereof,

FIGURE 4 is an elevation viewed 90 to that of FIG- URE 2, v

FIGURE 5 is a section takenalong the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG- URE 3, and 7 FIGURE 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, reference will be made to parts of the apparatus in relation to the travel of the hot metal rod. The term rod used herein includes rod, bar, wire and the like. Hot metal rod 1, after leaving the last finishing stand 2 of the rolling mill, passes through a guide pipe3 into a descaling trough 4 where it is cooled and descaled by high pressure water sprays 5. Rod 1- then passes through guide pipe 6 into entry bell mouth 7 and is thereby directed over the working face 8 of flanged pulley 9. The rod is held against working face 8 by means of a flexible silent chain 10 which passes around pulleys 11 and 12. An endless loop of band steel may also be used in this respect as may any other suitable means. Pulley 9 is so positioned that rod 1 is held against working face 8 through an arc of about 90. After traveling through this arc, rod 1 passes through exit bell mouth 13 whereby it is directed into spinner drive mechanism 14 of a coiling'reel device. The rod then passes into rotating-spiral spinner pipe 15 which lays the rod in coils 16 around stationary coiling drum 17 of the coiling reel. v

7 Referring now to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, which show the inventive apparatus in detail, pulley 9 is rotatably mounted on anti-friction bearings 18, which are attached to base plate 19, and driven by means of an electric motor 20 through a suitable belt arrangement 21. Thisis a variable speed motor so that the speed of rotation of pulley 9 can be varied with respect to the speed of the rod to be handled. The purpose of this will be described in detail later. Adjustably attached to base plate 19, at one end thereof, are anti-friction bearings 22 in which pulley 12-is rotatably mounted. Bearings 22 are attached to base plate 19in such a manner that they are capable of adjustment both longitudinally and transversely of base plate 19. Base plate 19 is slotted longitudinally along its central line to permit installation of pulleys 9 and 12. Bearings 23 are mounted at the other end of base plate 1-9 with two upwardly extending members 24 pivotally mounted thereinby means of a pivot pin 25. As best seen in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, each of members 24' has a main body portion 26 and outwardly flanged edges 27 and 28. Members 24 carry a platform 29 bridging their upper ends. Two anti-fraction bearings 30 are attached to the upper side of the platform 29 and rotatably mounted therein is pulley 11. As noted above, bearings 22 are adjustably'mounted so that pulley 12 may be lined up in substantially the same vertical plane as pulley 11 which lies in substantially the same plane as pulley 9. Base plate 19is adjustably attached to base 32 so that the combination of pulleys 9, 12-and 11 can be positioned in the same vertical plane as the line of travel of rod 1.

Passing around pulleys 11 and 12 is endless flexible chain 10. This chain may be of a type known as a silent chain and may be mounted either backwards, i.e. so that the exterior face of the chain, which is flat both longitudinally and transversely, is in contact with the periphery of pulley 9, or in the conventional manner, i.e so that the teeth of the chainare in contact with the periphery ofpulley 9. In either case, the rod which passes between it and pulley 9 will not be marked 'si-hce'ther'e i's nomsv'e ment of the chain relative to this pulley. Pulleys 9, 11 and 12 are so positioned with respect to each other that the periphery of pulley 9 is in contact with chain 10 through an arc of about A suitable chain for use in the present embodiment is a 12 foot, three inch long link belt /2 x 1 x 60 deg. middle guide silent chain which is capable of bending backwards around a 17%" radius if it is' desired to use the chain backwards. This is used with a pulley 9 having a diameter of about 3 feet.

Flanged edge 27 of each of members 24 carries an outwardly extending arm 33, the ends of such arms being bridged by cross piece 34. The U-shaped assembly thus formed extends outwardly form members 24 at about right angles and is positioned just below platform 29 and just above thelevel of pulley 9.

' Two side plates 35, one on each side of pulley 9, are mounted on base 32. These side plates 35, which are each cut away to clear bearings 18 and 23, enclose pulley 9 and extend between members 24. The upper edges of plate 35 may follow the curvature of pulley 9 in the region where the pulley is in contact with flexible chain 10 but extend horizontally between members 24 just below the lower level of pulley 11. In this position, side plates 35 carry a hinge pin 36 on which is pivoted a threaded bolt 37. Bolt '37 extends outwardly between arms 33 and through a hole in pin 36A, which pin is mounted below the U-shaped assembly. Bolt 37 carries two compression springs 38, 39, one on either side of pin 36A. Springs 38, 39 are confined between washers 40 which are in turn fixed by means of pin 36A and nuts 41. Springs 38 and 39 are capable of adjustment by means of this combination to vary the tension in chain 10 as required and, inaddition, are adapted to absorb the shock caused by the impact of the front end of rod 1 driving between the periphery of pulley 9 and chain 10.

Entry bell mouth 7 is adjustably positioned between side plates 35 just below the U-shaped assembly referred to above. The wide end 42 of hell mouth 7 faces away from pulley 9 to receive the hot metal rod 1 coming from the last stand of the rolling mill and is so positioned as to direct this rod between the periphery of pulley 9 and chain 10. This bell mouth is inclined slightly towards the horizontal because the rod is being directed upwardly by guide pipe 6 which is necessarily inclined to clear the next similar assembly near the rolling mill.

Exit bell mouth 13 is adjustably positioned in base 32 u' ith its wide end 43 facing towards pulley 9 to receive the hot rod leaving the assembly. This bell mouth is positioned so that its longitudinal axis coincides with the path to be taken by the rod as it leaves pulley 9. Bell mouth 13 should be positioned as close as possible to the periphery of pulleys 9 and 12 without touching them so that there is no possibility of the rod not entering it.

Details of the groove construction of pulleys 1 1 and 12 are shown in FIGURE 6. Pulley 12 is identical to pulley 1 1 in all respects. The periphery of pulley 11 is grooved having a flat working face 44 with flanges 45 on either side thereof. The inner sides 46 of flanges 45 are outwardly inclined so as to be clear of chain 10. Chain .10, which is shown in position in the groove in FIGURES 3 and 6, has a width just slightly less than the width of working face 44. The sides 47 of chain '10 should be at substantially right angles to its interior and exterior faces and accordingly do not contact the inner sides 46 of flanges 45-. -It follows therefore that the only area of contact between the groove of pulley 11 and the face of chain 10 is the portion referred to by reference numeral 44 and identified, in this specification, as the working face of the pulley. Flanges 45 merely prevent chain 10 from working itself off the periphery of pulley 11.

FIGURE 7 shows a cross-section of the periphery of pulley 9 and chain 10; This pulley has flanges 48 defining aspace 49 therebetween having a bottom portion 8. The inner sides 51 of flanges 48am outwardly inclined so as to be clear from the sides of chain 10. Bott'oni'p'ortion 8 has two horizontal lips 52 with an arcuate groove 53 :therebetween. As can best be seen in FIGURE 7, hot metal rod 1 rides in groove 53 and is held thereagainst by chain 10. Because of the various sized rods to be handled by this inventive assembly, the details of groove 53 are critical. The radius of curvature of groove 53 is slightly greater than the radius of the largest diameter rod to he handled whereas the depth of groove 53 is slightly less than the diameter of the smallest diameter rod to be handled. In this way, the one pulley 9 is capable of handling all sizes of rods coming from the rolling mill. The first condition is essential so that the edges of groove 53 do not mark the rod and the second condition is essential so that chain 10 will be able to grip the rod I regardless of its minimum size.

In this specification, the working face of pulley 9 is the bottom portion 8 although when no rod is in the assembly the face of chain 10 is only in contact with lips 52. As can be seen in FIGURE 7, however, rod 1 is held against groove 53 by chain 10 when the assembly is being used.

As can be seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, at least part of the periphery of each of pulleys 9, 11 and 12 is provided with a hard wearing alloy surface, for example, an alloy known under the trademark Ureka Draw Alloy No. 240. This hard surface layer covers working face '44 and the inner sides 46 of pulleys 11 and 12 whereas in pulley 9 it only covers lips 52 and groove 53. This hard surface layer is necessary to provide an appreciable Working life of each of the pulleys because of the frictional contact between the surface of such pulleys and the chain.

As mentioned above, pulley 9 is driven by means of a variable speed motor. This is necessary since the speed at which rod 1 enters the assembly is a variable of the rod diameter and with a minimum rod diameter the speed approaches 6,000 feet per minute. The smaller the diameter the greater the speed. Pulley 9 must be rotated at a speed such that the peripheral speed of any point on its working face is at least equal to, and preferably just slightly greater than, the linear speed of the rod to be handled. If the peripheral speed were less than the linear speed of the rod, then buckling would occur adjacent the finishing stand causing interruption of the operation.

In this assembly it is only desirable that pulley 9 be driven. Chain 10 is maintained at a tension such that the friction created between it and the working face of pulley 9, or the surface of rod 1 as the case may be, is sufiicient to drive the chain at the same speed as the working face of the pulley. It can be seen, therefore, that the speed of rotation of the working face of pulley 9, the linear speed of rod 1 and .the speed of chain 116 are all identical so that the Working face, rod and chain, relative to each other, are motionless. This ensures that the surface of the hot metal rod will not be marked.

On the other hand, chain 10 could also be positively driven by suitable means associated with either pulley 11 or 12. In such a case it would be necessary to synchronize the speed of the chain and that of the rod since a relative movement between the two would result in marking of the surface of the rod. As a practical matter, however, it is only pulley which need be driven since automatic synchronization with the chain 10 is effected by the frictional arrangement referred to above.

In operation, the inventive assembly is adapted to handle all sizes of hot metal rods from the rolling mill. However, the operation will be described, except where otherwise specifically mentioned, with respect to a minimum sized rod, for example, a 0.218 diameter rod. With the pulleys and bell mouths properly lined up with respect to the line of travel of the hot rod, the apparatus is started with the speed of rotation of pulley 9 being set to coincide with the linear speed of the particular sized rod to be handled at that time. A medium adjustment of the tensioning means is suitable for most rod sizes and accordingly it is not usually necessary to adjust the tensioning means with each change in rod diameter. However, if it is necessary to adjust tension of chain 9, this can easily be accomplished by an appropriate winding or unwinding of nuts 41 on bolt 37. When pulley 9 is started up chain 10 is driven by the frictional engagement between the chain and the working face 8 of the pulley. The inventive apparatus is now ready to handle hot metal rod to effect a change in the direction of its travel so as to direct it into the coiling reel. Rod 1 leaves the finishing stand at about a temperature of 1900 F. and after passing through trough 4 it has been cooled to a temperature of about 1100" F.--1200 F. with water at a pressure of about 200 pounds per square inch over a length of rod of about 50 to 75 feet. The temperature to which the rod is cooled depends upon the diameter of rod being handled and for such a minimum sized rod it is possible to reduce its temperature to a temperature in the range 1100 F. to 1200 F. and still be able to coil it into annular bundles in the coiling reel. As explained below, it is not possible to reduce the temperature of larger diameter rod as low as this. After passing through entry bell mouth 7, the front end of rod 1 engages groove 53 of pulley 9. The rod will ride in groove 53 and is of a thickness such that the chain 10 is able to positively grip it. Rod 1 will thus be firmly gripped over a substantial portion of its length, i.e. over an arc of about 90 on a three foot diameter pulley 9, by the action of chain 10 and pulley 9. As noted above, this positive grip assists in driving the hot rod through rotating pipe 15 of the coiling reel. This avoids undue compressive forces being exerted on the steel rod adjacent the last stand where final forming of the rod is effected at a relatively high temperature. At such temperature the rod is quite soft and buckling easily occurs. The tension in chain 10 is sufiicient to hold the rod against the Working face of pulley 9 through the aforementioned are thereby changing its direction of travel.

For any given diameter rod, there is a temperature below which it cannot be cooled and still be capable :of being coiled into an annular bundle. Below such minimum temperature, the rod will be too stiff to be handled by the coiling reel. Since there is no more difficulty in turning a cool rod through a 90 change of direction in the inventive apparatus than there is in forming an annular bundle in the coiling reel, it is this temperature which is critical. Accordingly, a hot metal rod from the last finishing stand may only be cooled to the temperature :at which it can be properly handled by the coiling reel. Water sprays 5 therefore are capable of automatic regulation so that larger diameter rods will not be cooled to as low a temperature as smaller diameter rods. As noted earlier, it is possible to reduce the temperature of a minimum diameter rod to a temperature in the range of about ll00 to 1200 F. With larger diameter rods, it is necessary to keep the temperature in a higher range because of the greater resistance to bending inherent in such rods.

As noted above, one very real advantage of coiling at lower temperature is the reduction in percentage scale loss. Table l is a comparison of the results obtainable with known devices together with the inventive apparatus.

Table 1 Apparatus: Percent scale loss Bent pipe guide 2.00 Wheel and fixed guide 1.25 Inventive apparatus 0.08

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An apparatus for effecting a substantial change in the direction of travel of la hot metal rod for delivery thereof to a coiling reel comprising a pair of rota-table pulleys, an endless flexible member passing around said pulleys, a third rotatable pulley intermediate the said first two pulleys with its periphery contacting the exterior side of said flexible member, said periphery having a mod receiving groove therein, the sadius of curvature of which is slightly greater than the radius of the largest diameter rod to be used and the depth of which is slightly less than the diameter of the smallest diameter rod to be used, the three pulleys lying in substantially the same plane, means for directing a rod between the periphery of the third pulley and the exterior side of the flexible member, adjustable means fior controlling the tension of said flexible member and means for rotating at least said third pulley whereby the peripheral speed of any point on the periphery of the third pulley is equal to or slightly greater than the linear speed of the rod to be delivered to the coiling reel.

2. An appanatus las defined in claim 1, in which the third pulley is of substantially larger diameter than either of the first two pulleys.

3. An apparatus as defined'in claim 2, in which the periphery of the third pulley and one side of the flexible member are in contact with each other over an arc of about 90.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the flexible member consists of a silent chain, the exterior side of which is fiat across its width and along its length.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which the third pulley includes outwardly inclined flanges with the periphery there between, the said .ch ain contacting only the periphery of said third pulley when no rod is directed there between.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the periphery of each of the first two pulleys is flanged with a flat working face therebetween.

7. An apparatus was defined in claim 6, in which *at least 8 the inner suirtace' of each flange is outwardly inclined :and the chain contacts only the flat working face.

8. An apparatus tor effecting a substantial change in the direction of tnavel of a hot metal rod for delivery thereof to a coiling reel comprising a pair of rotatable pulleys, an endless silent chain passing around said pulleys, a third rotatable pulley of larger diameter than either of the first two pulleys, said pulley being positioned so that its working face contacts one side of the silent chain over an arc of about 90 and the three said pulleys lying in substantially the same plane, the Working face of said third pulley having an arcuate rod receiving groove there in the radius of curvature of which is slightly greater than the radius of the largest diameter rod to be used and the depth of which is slightly less than the diameter of the smallest diameter rod to be used, means for directing a rod between the working face of the third pulley and the exterior side of the chain, adjustable means for controlling the tension of the chain, and means for rotating the third pulley such that the peripheral speed of any point on its working time is equal to or greater than the linear speed of the rod to be delivered to the coiling reel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,153,113 Winter Apr. 4, 1939 2,184,545 Collier Dec. 26, 1939 2,609,699 Rohn Sept. 9, 1952 2,630,618 Sewell Mar. 10, 1953 2,685,763 Courtney et a1. Aug. 10, 11954 2,857,116 Kr-affit et a1. Oct. 21, 1958 2,936,509 Martin May 17, 1960 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF A HOT METAL ROD FOR DELIVERY THEREOF TO A COILING REEL COMPRISING A PAIR OF ROTATABLE PULLEYS, AN ENDLESS FLEXIBLE MEMBER PASSING AROUND SAID PULLEYS, A THIRD ROTATABLE PULLEY INTERMEDIATE THE SAID FIRST TWO PULLEYS WITH ITS PERIPHERY CONTACTING THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER, SAID PERIPHERY HAVING A ROD RECEIVING GROOVE THEREIN, THE RADIUS OF CURVATURE OF WHICH IS SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE RADIUS OF THE LARGEST DIAMETER ROD TO BE USED AND THE DEPTH OF WHICH IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE SMALLEST DIAMETER ROD TO BE USED, THE THREE PULLEYS LYING IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PLANE, MEANS FOR DIRECTING A ROD BETWEEN THE PERIPHERY OF THE THIRD PULLEY AND THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THE FLEXIBLE 